Water ski handle and reel for rope



Filed Sept. 24. 1959 A A A A A A A A A A A A w. A A

BYAEQLM 47m/wim' Edil 1,734

a'tent-ed Dec. 5, 1961 3,011,734 WATER SKI HANDLE AND REEL FOR RGPE Virginia M. Wilkinson, 1311 W. Missouri St., Midland, Tex. Filed Sept. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 842,957 8 Claims. (Cl. 242-96) The present invention relates to a water ski handle and reel for the tow rope between a boat and a water skier pulled thereby.

At the present time, in water skiing, a great deal of diiiculty is encountered by reason of the tow rope becoming fouled in the propeller of the tow boat as the rope is played out to a suitable length to position the water skier a desired distance in relation to the tow boat. The present invention is directed to a device which serves the dual purpose of functioning as a handle which may be connected to a ski rope whereby the skier can be pulled along behind a tow boat, the handle also functioning as a reel whereby the ski rope can be unreeled to thereby aid in inhibiting the tow rope from becoming fouled in the propeher of the boat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ski handle construction of relatively simple design which incorporates means whereby the handle functions as a reel to unreel the line which tows the skier whereby fouling of the tow rope is inhibited.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the consideration of the following description and drawings wherein:

FG. 1 is a perspective view showing the handle of the present invention when the tow line or tow rope is wrapped on the handle when not in use;

FIG. 2 is a view somewhat similar to FIG. l but illustrates the handle in position when ready for unreeling of the rope;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View showing the ski handle with the ski rope unreeled;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the members on one end of the ski handle and illustrating the ski handle in dotted lines;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another form of the ski handle; and,

PEG. 6 is a partial view of a ski handle showing an alternate means of securing the ski rope to the ski handle.

Attention is directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein it will be noted that a ski rope 2 is illustrated as being reeled on the handle designated generally at 3. When the rope 2 is reeled on the handle 3 as illustrated in FIG. l of the drawings, the ski rope can be easily stored when not in use.

' ln FIG. 3 of the drawings, the ski handle designated generally at 3 is shown as including a tubular elongated body 4 which is provided at each of its ends 5 and 6 with members 7 and 8 thereon. The members 7 and 8 include tubular body portions 7a and 8a and annular and radially extending portions 9 and 10 integrally formed on each of the body portions 7a and 8a and which define shoulders whereby the rope 2 may be reeled on the tubular body 4 of the handle 3 between the portions 9 and 1i) as illustrated in FIG. l of the drawings.

When the rope is reeled on the handle as shown in FIG. 1, the straps 13 and 14 may be each positioned through the loop 1S in the end of the rope, and thereafter the straps 13 and 14 secured together by means of the snaps 17 and 1S which are located at suitable positions on each of the straps 13 and 14. The straps 13 and 14 are each respectively swiveled at opposite ends of the tubular body 4 and when it is desire-d to unreel the rope, the straps 13 and 14 may be unsnapped and removed from the loop and thereafter secured together by means of the snaps adjacent each of their ends as illustrated at 19 in FIG. 2 whereby the straps 13 and 14 form a loop 2d for holding the tubular body 4 while the rope 2 is unreeled therefrom.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings the construction of the member 8 is illustrated in greater detail, and it will be noted that the member S is shown as including a tubular body 8a which is adapted to be telescopically and snugly received over one of the ends of the body 4 illustrated in the dotted line. The straps 13 and 14 are each swiveled at their respective ends at the adjacent end of the body 4 by any suitable means such as that illustrated at 23.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l-4,

the straps are secured at each end of the body 4 by being swiveled to the outer end of the tubular body da. This permits free rotation of the body 4 relative to the loop 20 formed by the connected straps 13 and 14. The swivel 23 is of a design well known in the art, and it -is believed unnecessary to give a detailed description thereof. lt may be secured by any suitable means such as the bolt 24 and nut 25 to the tubular body 7a and 8a of members 7 and 8, whereby it may be easily replaced ir and when necessary. An opening 26 is provided in the body Sa, and coincides with an opening 27 extending through the body 4 at each end there-of whereby a bridle 23 of the ski rope may be secured to the handle. When the rope 2 is to be reeled up on the body 4, each side of the bridle may be fed through the groove 30 in the shoulder 9 and lll of each of the members 7 and S and the rope thereafter reeled on the tubular body 4. The construction of member 7 and its arrangement on the handle 4 is similar to that described with regard to the member 8.

ln FIG. 5 of the drawings another form of the tubular body 4 is illustrated wherein an elongated body 4 is provided which has the semi-spherical members 7' and S thereon. It will be noted that each of the members 7 and S telescopically lit over each end of the tubular body 4', and are enlarged to provide a portion 9 and 10 respectively which define a shoulder whereby the ski rope illustrated at 2 may be reeled on the handle. ln this form of the invention the straps 13 and 14 are swiveled directly to the handle as illustrated generally by the numerals 36 and permit free rotation of the tubular body 4 relative to the straps 13 and i4 when they are connected as previously described to form a' loop 213 whereby the ski rope 2 may be unreeled. lf desired, a suitable covering such as illustrated at 37 may be provided on the tubular body 4 as shown in FlG. 5 of the drawings.

in FlG. 6 of the drawings, it will be noted that the ski rope 2 is connected through the body 4' between the surfaces or shoulders 9 and 1G', whereas in the FIG. 5 modication the rope 2 is illustrated as extending through openings 3S in the body 4 between the surface portions 9 and lil and extending along the hollow body 4.

When the rope is unreeled and it is then desired to use the handle 4 whereby a water skier may be towed along on the surface of the water, the straps 13 and 14 may be wrapped around the members 7 and 8 as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings and secured with snap means 4? to hold them in position until it is desired to reel the rope on the handle 4. Snap means 49 are also provided on members 7 and S as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As previously noted, a great deal of diiliculty has been encountered in water ski tow lines in that the tow lines become fouled in the propeller of the boat as the tow line is played out to position the water skier behind the boat. The present invention overcomes this problem in that the loop 26 formed by the connected s raps 13 and 14 may be positioned on the shoulder or engaged with the arm of the water skier and as the water skier moves rearwardly of the boat, the line may be kept taut, or at least up out or the surface of the water and away from the Vicinity' of the propeller to thereby inhibit fouling of the line. Y

'Of course, the handle body i while being referred to as tubular, may be formed of a' solid rod, as shown in FIG; 6). Additionally, the handle construction of the present invention enables the tow line to be stored directly on the handle when not in use.

It should be noted that the members 7 and 8 of the present invention are particularly suited for use with any ordinary water ski handle well known in the art. Such handles are usually made of wood and are relatively inexpensive. ln using the members 7 and S with such a handle, the member 7 would be slipped or itted on one end of the handle and the member S on the other.

If the ski tow rope or bridle is connected to the body 4 as shown in FlGS. l-4 of the drawings, then of course, it will be disconnected when the members 7 and 8 are positioned on the ends of the body 4 and thereafter the bridleor rope will be secured through the members 7 and 8 and through openings 27 in the body. This will also aid in keeping members 7 and 8 on the body during use.

The portions 7a and 8a of the members 7 and 8 may be constructed of rubber or other suitable material which would lit tightly on the ordinary ski handle, and which will be'buoyant in water to help Vkeep the handle alloat when it falls in the water.

Broadly, the present invention relates to a ski handle, and more particularly to a water ski handle which functions also as the reel for unreeling the rope and for storing it when not in use.

What is claimed is:

1. A water ski rope handle and reel including an elongated body, an annular enlargement on each end of said body defining a space therebetween for reeling and storage of ski rope, flexible straps swiveled at each end of said body, snaps secured on each of said straps whereby they may be connected together to form a loop, opening means in said body for connecting a ski rope on said body, said straps and loop formed thereby cooperating with said body to permit unreeling of the ski rope as the user moves away from a boat to inhibit fouling of the ski rope and snaps secured on each of said annular enlargements whereby said flexible straps may be secured thereto when the rope is unreeled.

2. A water ski handle and reel for storage and unreeling of'ski rope including an elongated body which may be grasped by a water skier, a rope connected to said body whereby the skier may be towed by a boat, a bridle for connecting said rope to said body, a member positioned at each end of said elongated body and having a portion thereon defining an annular shoulder whereby the ski rope may be reeled up on said body between said shoulders, said elongated body having an opening in each end thereof for receiving one end of said bridle, each of said members positioned at each end of said elongated body having an opening therein `coinciding with one of said openings in each end of said elongated body also for receiving one end of said bridle, and means permitting the ski rope to be unreeled as the skier moves to position behind the boat to thereby inhibit fouling of the ski rope.

3L A water ski handle and reel for storage and unrealing of ski rope including an elongated body which may be grasped by a water skier, a rope connected to said body whereby the skier may be towed by a boat, a member positioned at each end of said elongated body and having a portion thereon defining an annularshoulder whereby the ski rope may be reeled up on said body between said shoulders, means permitting the ski rope to be unreeled as the skier moves to position behind the boat to thereby inhibit fouling of the ski rope, and said means including, straps swiveled at each end of said body, snaps secured on said straps whereby said straps may be connected together to form a continuous band from one end of said body to the other, said band enabling said body to rotate relative thereto whereby the ski rope may be unreeled, and additional snaps on said members at each end of said body whereby said straps may be secured thereto when the rope is unreeled.

4. The combination recited in claim 3 wherein said members at each end of said body telescopically engage said body and wherein the ski rope extends therethrough, and said shoulders on said members ha 7ing openings therein whereby the ski rope may be reeled on said body between said shoulders.

5. The combinationV recit-cd in claim V3 wherein the ski rope is secured to said body between said shoulders.

Y 6. An adapter to be positioned on each end of a water ski handle including a tubular body, an annular radially extending enlargement on one end of said body, a flexible strap swiveled at one end of said vbody and adapted to be wrapped around said body, and snaps secured'on said flexible strap whereby said strap may be connected to a similar flexible strap whereby a loop may be formed.

7. The structure recited in claim 6, including opening means in said tubular bodyl adapted to coincide with an opening means in the water ski handle for connecting a ski rope on said body.

8. The structure recited in claim 2, wherein each of said annular shoulders has a groove therein adapted to receive one side of said bridle whereby said bridle may be fed through said groove and said bridle may be reeled Y on said elongated body.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 274,490 Gunn Mar. 27, 1883 2,923,490 Smith Feb. 2, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 334 Great Britain Jan. 28, 1875 

